Poetry Slams: Where Artistic Verbal Creations Compete

The University of Delaware Library announces the exhibition, “Poetry Slams: Where Artistic Verbal Creations Compete”, which will be on display in first floor exhibition cases in the Information Room of the Hugh M. Morris Library at the University of Delaware from Tuesday, February 1, 2011 through Friday, June 10, 2011.

Poetry Slam, is a competitive form of performance poetry. Performance poetry is an evolution of traditional spoken word and oral literature that has transformed into genres known as “slam” and “beat poetry.” Historically, poetry and spoken word has been placed in the category of literature by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The art of poetry slam emphasizes written and oral communication as well as performance skills. Poetry slam speaks to diversity because it brings with it the experience of the poet, each unique.

The University of Delaware Library has a variety of resources and materials that highlight this growing genre of literature locally, nationally, and internationally that is representative of a diverse group of individuals. The exhibition will highlight materials in the University of Delaware Library that focus on the History of Poetry Slam and the creator and founder of the slam poetry movement, Marc Kelly Smith who is affectionately known as ‘Slam Papi’.

The exhibition will also display a variety of works by other renowned slam poets, Hal Sirowitz,
Saul Stacey Williams and Patricia Smith. Additionally, three local Delaware Slam Poets
(Rich Boucher, Beverly Wilkinson and Amy Eyre) works, which are representative of the Delawhere? Open Mic & Slam, will be showcased. The Delawhere? Open Mic & Slam is the semi weekly meeting of Delaware poets who are interested in performing their poetry as well as possibly being chosen to represent Delaware in the National Poetry Slam competition held annually.

The curators of “Poetry Slams” are Lydia N. Collins, assistant librarian in the Reference Department and Amy Eyre, library technician in the Access Services Department of the University of Delaware Library.

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